Jordan Henderson senses he is at the start of something, a new beginning after
two years of false steps and unfulfilled promise at Liverpool.

The sole survivor of Kenny Dalglish’s inflated multi-million pound splurge on the British talent of Andy Carroll, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing, who departed Anfield in a loss-making £6m transfer to West Ham this week, Henderson goes into the new campaign under Brendan Rodgers entering a new phase in his life and career.

A new-born daughter at home, combined with the end of his England Under-21 career this summer, has left the 23-year-old acknowledging that he is no longer a kid in a grown-up world and that the time has come to grasp the opportunity in front of him at Anfield.

“I'm sure I go into every year thinking that it is my season,” said Henderson, who was speaking at an EA SPORTS FIFA 14 preview event.

“I want to do my best every season I go into, but it's a massive year for the club and a massive year for me personally as well.

"At the end of last year, I was in a good run of form and was more consistent in my performances, so hopefully I can just pick up where I left off."

Having been overlooked by Rodgers during the early days of the manager’s reign following his appointment 12 months ago, Henderson appeared to be destined to leave Anfield with his £16m transfer tag weighing heavily on his shoulders.

But despite his battle to persuade Rodgers of his qualities, Henderson insists that the Northern Irishman was always prepared to hand him an opportunity if he accepted the challenge of changing his game to suit the new style of play at the club.

“I've spoken to the manager from day one since he came in and he has improved my game,” Henderson said.

“He told me what I needed to improve on and I felt as though I went away and did that. I feel I'm learning all the time in training and the manager has been brilliant in helping me do that.

"It was just more advice towards the style we want to play. To go forward and tactically, what I needed to improve on.

“I did that and I'm still doing it now, trying to improve my game, so hopefully I can carry that on and keep improving every day.

"I didn't play as much as I liked initially, but I still had conversations with him (Rodgers) and he felt if I worked hard enough and did the things he said, that I could definitely get back in the team.

"He gave me opportunities in Europa League games and Capital One Cup games and I made sure I took them to try and get into the first XI.

“I’ve just got to make sure I do everything to get into his team.”

Liverpool’s failure to secure European qualification last season has increased the pressure on Rodgers and the squad to restore the club to the Europa League or Champions League this season.

But with Rodgers now established at Anfield, and with his methods understood by his players, Henderson believes stability will have a positive effect on the team.

“To be honest, when Brendan came in last year we went through a period of transition with how the manager wanted us to play,” Henderson said.

“I think we did that brilliantly over the course of the season and as the season went on we improved a lot.

“It did take a bit of time, but that is natural with the different players and formations. It is different for different clubs.”

Jordan Henderson was speaking at an EA SPORTS FIFA 14 preview event. Pre-order the FIFA 14 Limited Edition on Xbox 360 and PS3 before August 25th and receive 24 FIFA Ultimate Team PREMIUM Gold Packs only at Game.co.uk